Company owner and site manager arrested following scaffolding collapse in Kabataş

One worker lost his life in a collapse that occurred on Saturday evening at an ongoing metro construction site in Kabataş, Istanbul.

Following the collapse of the scaffolding, three of the five workers who were trapped for a time managed to escape on their own, while two others were rescued by fire department teams.

ARREST REQUEST FOR CONTRACTOR AND SITE MANAGER

An investigation has been launched into the incident. In a statement regarding the scaffolding collapse in Beyoğlu that resulted in the death of one worker, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that B.Ç., the owner and official of BMA Enerji Mühendislik İnşaat Sanayi ve Limited Şirketi, and O.Ç., the company's site manager, were arrested on charges of "causing death and injury by negligence."

The following statements were included in the announcement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:

"On 15/11/2025, at approximately 21:00, during a concrete pouring operation at the M7 metro station construction site at Kabataş Pier, Ömer Avni Neighborhood, Meclisi Mebusan Street, the concrete mold opened, causing workers named S.E., S.E., M.G., and C.G., who were on the scaffolding, to fall and sustain injuries. S.E., who was injured during the incident, passed away at Taksim Training and Research Hospital, where he had been taken for treatment. It was determined that complainant M.G. sustained injuries involving bone fractures that cannot be healed with simple medical intervention (BTM), complainant C.G. sustained injuries that can be healed with BTM, and complainant S.E. sustained injuries involving bone fractures that cannot be healed with BTM and do not pose a life-threatening risk. According to the fault report dated 16/11/2025 prepared by the expert witness appointed by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined and reported that B.Ç., the owner and official of the subcontractor firm BMA Enerji Mühendislik İnşaat Sanayi ve Limited Şirketi, and O.Ç., the site manager at the same company, were primarily at fault in the occurrence of the accident, while the injured complainants and the deceased S.E. were partially at fault. Considering the scope of the current file, the nature of the alleged crime, and the determined fault status, the suspects identified in the investigation, B.Ç., the owner and official of the subcontractor firm BMA Enerji Mühendislik İnşaat Sanayi ve Limited Şirketi, and O.Ç., who serves as the site manager for the same company, have been referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace for arrest on charges of causing death and injury by negligence. This is submitted for your information."

WHAT HAPPENED?

In a statement regarding the scaffolding collapse in Beyoğlu that resulted in the death of one worker, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) had stated that "no tunnel collapse occurred within the scope of the construction." In the statement made by the municipality, it was noted: "The incident is a work accident that occurred during concrete pouring at the station site. An investigation into the accident has been initiated."

News Source: 12punto